The Robert Abdesselam Trophy returns to France

The 10th edition of the Robert Abdesselam Trophy took place from 21-23 August and brought together four international teams — Spain, Belgium, Great Britain, and France — for a competition featuring one Women’s Doubles, one Men’s Doubles, and two Mixed Doubles per match.

The French team prepared with great professionalism, with some high-altitude training in the Vercors Mountains. There, the players enjoyed scenic hikes through historic forest trails, breathtaking views over Grenoble, and, most importantly, an intensive tennis camp led by their long-time coach, Bruno Delorme, at the Villard-de-Lans Tennis Club. Off the courts, the group took time to share meals and test their culinary skills, further strengthening team spirit and camaraderie.

On arrival in Avignon, the competitors faced stormy weather. The French delegation managed a short training session on the superb courts of TC Montolivet before heavy rain rendered the grounds unplayable. The club’s President, Jean-Pierre Azam, and his wife Gisèle extended a warm welcome to all participants, their passion and dedication keeping the Avignon club thriving.

Due to the weather, the opening matches were held indoors on a single court instead of the planned four outdoor ones. Consequently, the format was shortened to a single set of six games with a tie-break at 6-6. France started the tournament strongly, defeating Great Britain — a new permanent participant in this long-standing competition — by 4–0 in the morning session. Spain then overcame Belgium in the afternoon.

The following day saw the return of sunshine, allowing play to resume outdoors for the France–Belgium encounter. Despite gusty conditions, France prevailed 3–1. In the afternoon, players and guests enjoyed a guided cultural visit to the Chartreuse de Villeneuve-lès-Avignon, a monastic complex renowned for its austere order and beautiful architecture.

The evening’s social programme featured a warm reception hosted by Odile de Roubin in her elegant family residence, where players gathered for an aperitif before the official dinner — a highlight of the event’s convivial atmosphere.

The final day brought the much-anticipated showdown between France and Spain. The French team were eager to reclaim the Robert Abdesselam Trophy, which had been in Spanish hands since the 2023 edition in Madrid.

The opening women’s doubles match proved challenging: Spain’s pair, Pauline Rodriguez (a former French player ranked no. 15) and Noelia Perez Penate (former WTA no. 121), showed their experience, while France’s Isabelle Billard-Delage sustained an early injury. Fortunately, the French men responded with a narrow win, leaving the teams level at one match apiece.

It was therefore down to the two mixed doubles to decide the title (and avoid a super tie-break in the event of two tied teams after all the matches). The French pairs — Chantal Grimal & Alain Moracchini, and MarieDo Larras & Nicolas Fourcade — made an excellent start, taking their first sets 6–1 and 6–0 respectively. Grimal and Moracchini secured their victory swiftly, while Larras and Fourcade were pushed into a deciding tie-break after their Spanish opponents, Noelia Perez Penate and Fernando Gomes de Segura, fought back to win the second set 6–4. The final tie-break was a thrilling affair, keeping spectators — including loyal French supporters Pascale and Christine — on edge. In the end, the French pair held their nerve to win 11–9, sealing overall victory for France.

The Robert Abdesselam Trophy thus returned to France, to the delight of players, organisers, and supporters alike — a fitting conclusion to three days of high-level tennis, sportsmanship, and international friendship.

Load last 15 media item(s)Loading...

IC Uruguay 40th Anniversary Event

Deadline for confirmation for teams for the IC Uruguay 40th Anniversary event has been extended to the end of December. The hotel has kindly given us until then to accept reservations, giving you more times to organise your teams, and additional they’ve allowed a more flexible 48hour full refund policy. Please see the factsheet here, and contact the IC Uruguay to find out more. Vice President: Philippe Pinet - philnat@netgate.com.uy and President: - Jean Paul Brisson - jeanbrisson@vera.com.uy.

The event is now being held on the 30th March - 3rd April 2022 and is for a maximum of 8 countries, from 40 years old, singles and doubles and both men and women. We are also preparing a special highlight in the form of a doubles exhibition match between Fiorella Bonicelli and Thomaz Koch, almost 50 years after their triumph in Roland Garros in 1975!

Thus far the IC’s of Argentina, Brazil and Chile are confirmed.. The IC’s of France, Germany and Luxembourg have registered their interest and are still to confirm.

Additionally, for the South American tour, the following will be offered around the IC Uruguay event:

• April 5th and 6th: IC of Argentina will organdie some games in and around Buenos Aires. Contact Luis Medus - luismedus@obrasabedul.com.ar

• April 7th and 8th: IC of Brazil in São Paulo, at Sociedade Harmonia de tenis (Maria Bueño’s club). Contact Mario Martins and Neco Aerts - mavm@terra.com.br and nelson@grupotry.com.br

These additional matches will be carried out under the ICs usual guidelines for bilateral matches. Meaning that each IC will make its own lodging arrangements - seeking advice from the local ICs as needed - and will define the composition of each delegation for the host ICs to make suitable friendly playing arrangements.

Further information can be found on the events page.